Ban appeals for new urgency to reach a political solution in Syria

A young Syrian refugee flashes the peace sign near the Jaber border crossing. UNHCR/Jared J. Kohler

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all parties in Syria and the international community to seriously reflect on the two-year Syrian crisis and to inject urgency towards reaching a political solution while there is still time to prevent the country's complete destruction.

In a statement through his Spokesperson, the Secretary-General said "The end goal is clear to all – there must be an end to violence, a clean break with the past and a transition to a new Syria in which the rights of all communities are protected and the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians for freedom, dignity and justice, are met". He said "The sooner a military solution is abandoned the better", adding that "There is no need for more people to die, flee or grieve in Syria".

The Secretary-General called on the region and the international community, in particular the Security Council, to find unity and lend its full support to the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi to help the Syrian people reach a political solution to the conflict.

Secretary-General Ban recalled that two years ago, Syrians stood up in peaceful popular protests to appeal for their universal rights and freedoms. But he said this appeal was answered with brutal force by the Syrian authorities. Today, the world is watching the consequences with horror.